If you wish to have an Order of Service for Sunday morning, please print one and bring it with you. In an effort to save financial and natural resources, First UU is no longer printing paper Orders of Service.

First UU Care Team for

February 2019

Lay Pastoral Care Coordinator

Linda Ericson

717-319-2317

﻿linda.ericson@aol.com

Team Kindness

Laura May

804-755-7074

lmay45@comcast.net

Contact First UU Care Team for a little touch of nice.❤️

Mitten Tree Report:

Over the holidays we collected needed clothing items for Greene School and it was a TERRIFIC success.

Greene Elementary School now has a supply closet available when kids need something extra.

Thank you so much for signing up for First News Weekly! We are so glad you're here. If you haven't visited our congregation yet, we hope you will soon. You can find all the information you need at our website here:

With gratitude, we have received pledge contributions of $25,375.76 for the month of February. Year to date we have received $535,463.771 toward our Annual Budget of $801,216 (66.8%).

Share the Plate Collection

Because of your generosity, for the month of January, we collected $2,141.95 for the Share the Plate recipient Minds in Motion.

For the month of February, we have collected $696.50 towards the Share the Plate recipient Garden Schoolhouse.

For February, our Share the Plate recipient is the The Garden Schoolhouse.

We challenge children to discover, learn, communicate, and collaborate.

The Garden Schoolhouse believes in childhood. In our school, children learn and create as leaders, peacemakers, innovators, and builders.

The Garden Schoolhouse is a child development center for children ages three through kindergarten. The school is united, diverse, friendly, and devoted to children becoming independent learners and leaders.

Our approach to learning is inspired by Reggio Emilia philosophy of education, grounded in developmentally appropriate practice, and infused with habits of mind that children and adults need for a lifetime of learning.

Children observe and experiment from birth to understand their world.

Children are naturally curious, creative, and motivated to discover and learn.

The role of educators is to nurture and sustain children’s curiosity.

Play is necessary to physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

We believe in our connection to all people, all living things, and the earth.

Our Mission: The Garden Schoolhouse cultivates a passion for learning, and intellectual curiosity. We celebrate childhood by tending to the unique gifts of each child. We build the foundation for academic success.

Our Vision: We will plant a garden schoolhouse in every neighborhood to promote a more compassionate, informed and engaged community.

Please reach out for more information or a tour of the school: www.gardenschoolhouse.org; 804-774-9414; Audrey Smith, Executive Director: gardenschoolrva@gmail.com

Do you shop on Amazon? What about Kroger?

Did you know that you can support First UU by shopping where you already shop?! Here are two easy options to help support the church.

Go to
smile.amazon.com and search for First Unitarian Universalist. Then, when you want to order something from Amazon, make sure to order from
smile.amazon.com and Amazon will send a percentage of your purchase to the church!

If you shop at Kroger and have a Kroger Plus card, search on your favorite web search site for
Kroger Community Rewards. You can enroll by linking your plus card to the church and Kroger will send a percentage of your purchase to the church!

The church does not see your purchases in either place. We simply receive a check once a month from the organization. If you have any questions, please email Kelli McNeal (
bookkeeper@richmonduu.org) and she will be happy to answer any questions.

GOT PHOTOS OF FIRST UU HAPPENINGS?

Email them to communications@richmonduu.org!

We are always looking for new images for the website, social media, or FNW!

While we can't guarantee we'll use
every image, we would appreciate the help in gathering more of them!

The Nursery is open during worship services to serve those 3 and a half years old and under. Children are welcomed by experienced staff and engaged in gentle play. Please label your child's belongings, and bring your own snack if desired. Cheerios will be offered. If you have allergy concerns, please provide your child's snack.

The children's activity box for those attending worship will now be located outside the Great Hall on the right side of the lobby.

Religious Education News:

Special Reminder: Parents, though we like to encourage our children to practice independence, please do not allow them to sign themselves into their religious ed. classes. We are experiencing children being signed into the wrong classes. In addition, there are legibility issues. Being responsible for your students while they are in class, we need an accurate representation of who is present. Thank you for your assistance!

RE Classes Meeting at 11:00 are:

PreK-K: Creating Home: Students begin exploring the idea of Unitarian Universalism as a spiritual home, while comparing it as metaphor, to the homes they live in. This week, they discover the word "threshold" as understanding a point of entering or leaving.

Gr. 1-2: Children are learning about the interconnected web of existence through a lesson about nature's partnerships.A story about partnership between sea anemones and clown fish demonstrates that helping one another is an aspect of interdependence and a cherished UU value.

Gr. 3-4: The Value of Questioning. Unitarian Universalism is a faith that considers each person's path of questioning and search for truth a key, ongoing part of growing in faith and deepening in religious understanding.

Gr. 5-6: What are the qualities of a justice maker? Students will discuss the quality of awareness as it relates to their ideas of justice. They will be challenged to consider how people create justice by working together.

Gr. 7-8: In grappling with UU theology, students evaluate the Ten Commandments, compose their own set of rules for ethical behavior, and discuss how cliques and groups influence the behavior of individuals.

Grade 9-12 meets 10:45-12:15.

Please sign-in by 10:45 and plan to attend the full class.

Topic: Fairness. What does it mean to you? Is fairness really possible? How is it achieved? Why is it a Unitarian Universalist value? Through accessing games, class will explore these questions and more.

A REMINDER: Unless otherwise noted in the information, these groups are open to newcomers and would be happy to welcome you! We encourage everyone to participate in these many wonderful opportunities to

learn and grow together.

First UU Leadership/

Small Group Facilitators

Meeting

Feb. 16 from 9:00-11:00 am.

Come learn about the March packet!

We would LOVE to have a representative from EVERY group attend if possible.

The DayTimes will gather for their monthly meeting; Wednesday, February 13th from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. in President's Hall. Visitors are welcome to join us for a presentation by Jim Armstrong and Anita Lee, a "New Day Rising," followed by our regular pot-luck luncheon.

The Dogwood Spirit Circle Is Having a Meet and Greet On March 3, 2019 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.

It will take place after the second service on Sunday, March 3. A goal for this Small Group is to incorporate a CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) Chapter at First UU of Richmond.

To help explain about CUUPS and Earth Centered Spirituality, we have invited a special speaker Eric Eldritch, a Program Specialist at the Library of Congress, who draws on years of experience in ceremonial and ecstatic forms of worship for ritual construction, interfaith worship and spiritual retreat planning; among many other things on his resume. Please join us for light refreshments, music and the chance to make new friends.

Ewe Ewe Knitters!

Ewe Ewe Knitters is a multi-generational conversation group for knitters, crocheters and those who are learning. We meet on the First Thursday and the Third Tuesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Join us! Questions? Darlene 804-562-2175 voice/text

The First UU Jewish Spirituality and Practice Group is forming! If you would like to be involved or would like more information, contact Elisa O'Brien at efhobrien@gmail.com.

Parents' Circle will be a time we can come together, share experiences and ask for advice as we travel this crazy road raising amazing people. This will be for parents only and babes in arms so we can candidly discuss whatever we want to discuss!

Vespers

6:00 pm-6:30 pm

A quiet center to our week!

Vespers continues year-round

Vespers is an intimate, contemplative, and conversational half-hour service provided by our ministerial interns. We welcome you and appreciate you just as you are and whenever you can join us. MEETS IN THE GREAT HALL

Simple Supper

6:30 pm

Come enjoy good food and fellowship. Soup salad and bread are typical fare. Volunteers prepare the supper. Consider signing up with your group or team! See the volunteer section below.

Ministers Present

7:15 pm -8:30 pm

FEBRUARY INFORMATION:

Building a New Life through Love of Learning

Wednesdays, 7:15 - 8:30

Feb 6 - Immunity to Change - experience a process that helps us identity major goals and the challenges we face in implementing them.

Feb 13- Lateral Thinking , A way of Thinking Creatively that expands the Possibilities we see for change.

Feb 20 - Discernment - A process of group listening and seeing.

Feb 27 - Empathic Listening - the backbone of justice work.

You will experience each of these processes and take away handouts to practice these in your work/life/groups.

Life Stage Groups News

Want to know when the following groups meet? Visit our
Growth Groups page on the website for contact information for each convener!

We currently have over 100 Fifth Graders who are receiving books from us on a monthly basis. They are given these books to take home and keep, and we need all reading levels: picture books, easy readers and chapter books, fiction and non-fiction. THE BOOK CLOSET IS BARE.

RISC Update – 2018 Year in Review; 2019 Next Steps

2018 saw justice because of RISC’s efforts. A few data points about the root level changes:

· Reading Mastery is being piloted in 8 Richmond Public Schools - the proven curriculum to get students reading to grade level.

· A Health Care Pipeline was launched by VCU Health – a proven pathway to in-demand healthcare employment for low income job seekers.

· Putting in 6,414 volunteer hours speaking in a SINGLE voice seeking justice!

· And investing over $42,000.

But enough about last year. What is RISC working on now (and maybe something for you to get involved in):

· The new issue is Housing. We are meeting with local experts and non-profits that work the housing arena in Richmond to determine the best practices solution that we want to pursue. Come join in. The meetings are interesting – and even exciting!

· We are continuing to research the most effective way to support RPS in their implementation of the Reading Mastery curriculum, continuing to develop ways to re-engage Henrico Schools, and make sure that Chesterfield School follow up on their commitment to train their entire staff and faculty on Trauma Informed Care best practices.

· Pursuing new congregations to join RISC (we have new ideas on this – do you have thoughts?).

· We will be doing LOCAL training on the Research to Action effort, the investment drive, corporate drive and other elements of how RISC works. Consider joining us.

We are looking for a volunteer to join the Greene Team! We need a liaison to help with marketing VOCCA (Volunteers Organized for Cross-cultural Communication Assistance). Time requirement: 0-2 hrs/wk (depending on need)

This volunteer would advertise and promote the translation service to Greene School teachers and other staff.

VOCCA is a free translation service, to the teachers and other staff members at Greene Elementary. This is a low-demand opportunity to get involved at Greene, as this position is flexible and will require only 0-2hrs/wk (fluctuates according to need and the volunteer's availability).

Most of the duties associated with this position can be carried out remotely, with only 10% of the work estimated to require visits to First UU or to Greene. Spanish familiarity or fluency is not required for this position!

﻿

If you are interested in joining the Greene Team in this capacity or if you have questions about the position, please contact: Joel Blum, email: jokerblum@gmail.com or megan Taylor, email: taylor.megan.m@gmail.com

What is CARITAS? The letters stand for Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter, and it is the largest emergency shelter program in our community.

We are fortunate to one last time be a host site. From Saturday, February 23 to Saturday, March 2, we will provide shelter for 10 to 15 homeless women in the lower level of our church. This involves the need for over 100 volunteers who provide breakfast, bag lunches, and dinner each day for our guests. In the past, our children have prepared toiletry kits, flowers for the tables, and candy for our guests' pillows. We need volunteers to spend the night along with the CARITAS staff and to provide special services such as financial/tax consultations, doing laundry, dentistry, clothing repair, haircuts, massages, manicures, and just hanging out and talking or playing cards. Entertainment such as music, movies, or magic shows are great additions. CARITAS can also always use towels, washcloths, tooth brushes, toothpaste, and other toiletry items; as well as pillow cases, sheets, blankets for their permanent building. We will be collecting monetary donations for staples and supplies. This service event is a great way to meet other UU members and friends, while providing a meaningful and needed service to our community.

Anyone interested in volunteering or being part of the planning committee can sign up at the CARITAS table after each Sunday service in the lobby. For more information or to sign up, you may also contact Su Böer at 213-3006 or seboer4@gmail.com or sign up at http://richmonduu.ivolunteer.com/

Equality Virginia Volunteer Opportunity!

"We’re working to pass non-discrimination protections for LGBT+ people in housing and public employment through the state legislature. We’d be the first state in the South to do so. We’re hoping to create a Virginia where folks don’t have to fear losing their job or being denied housing for who they are.

I’m reaching out to you as an affirming faith community in search of support and, ideally, motivated congregants who want to help. I’ll be running weekly Thursday night phone banks at our downtown office. Please sign up below!"

Please contact Rick Carr to set up a 90-minute class to learn about the machinery in the kitchen. Rick can be emailed through the link on his name, or call 804-349-5303 (voice/text).

Darlene Dragavon, Simple Supper Coordinator

804-562-2175

Sunday Ushers and

Visitors Table Welcomers are Needed!

Choose a Sunday and a service, (9 am or 11 am) and come receive training with an experienced hospitality person. Plan to arrive 20 mins before service starts. Shadow and assist to learn the ropes and then commit to serve one service on one Sunday per month.